Methodist universities should not be forced to hire Roman Catholic priests to teach theology. Lutheran colleges should not be forced to hire Oneness Pentecostal ministers to teach religion classes. This is common sense, but a federal court is having trouble seeing it.

Moody Bible Institute, a Calvinist college in Chicago, wants to hire faculty who share its views. At issue in a pending federal court case is the college’s view that ordained ministers should only be males. Religious liberty scholars want to see the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals protect Moody’s autonomy to decide doctrinal matters.